word

a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning. Words are composed of one or more morphemes and are either the smallest units susceptible of independent use or consist of two or three such units combined under certain linking conditions, as with the loss of primary accent that distinguishes black·bird· from black· bird·. Words are usually separated by spaces in writing, and are distinguished phonologically, as by accent, in many languages.

2.

(used in combination with the first letter of an offensive or unmentionable word, the first letter being lowercase or uppercase, with or without a following hyphen):

My mom married at 20, and she mentions the m-word every time I meet someone she thinks is eligible.

word

/wɜːd/

noun

1.

one of the units of speech or writing that native speakers of a language usually regard as the smallest isolable meaningful element of the language, although linguists would analyse these further into morphemes related adjective lexical verbal

2.

an instance of vocal intercourse; chat, talk, or discussion: to have a word with someone

3.

an utterance or expression, esp a brief one: a word of greeting

4.

news or information: he sent word that he would be late

5.

a verbal signal for action; command: when I give the word, fire!

6.

an undertaking or promise: I give you my word, he kept his word

7.

an autocratic decree or utterance; order: his word must be obeyed

8.

a watchword or slogan, as of a political party: the word now is ``freedom''

9.

(computing) a set of bits used to store, transmit, or operate upon an item of information in a computer, such as a program instruction

10.

as good as one's word, doing what one has undertaken or promised to do

11.

at a word, at once

12.

by word of mouth, orally rather than by written means

13.

in a word, briefly or in short

14.

my word!

an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc

(Austral) an exclamation of agreement

15.

of one's word, given to or noted for keeping one's promises: I am a man of my word

16.

put in a word for, put in a good word for, to make favourable mention of (someone); recommend

17.

take someone at his word, take someone at her word, to assume that someone means, or will do, what he or she says: when he told her to go, she took him at his word and left

18.

take someone's word for it, to accept or believe what someone says

19.

the last word

the closing remark of a conversation or argument, esp a remark that supposedly settles an issue

the latest or most fashionable design, make, or model: the last word in bikinis

the finest example (of some quality, condition, etc): the last word in luxury

20.

the word, the proper or most fitting expression: cold is not the word for it, it's freezing!

21.

upon my word!

(archaic) on my honour

an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc

22.

word for word

(of a report, transcription, etc) using exactly the same words as those employed in the situation being reported; verbatim

translated by substituting each word in the new text for each corresponding word in the original rather than by general sense

23.

word of honour, a promise; oath

24.

(modifier) of, relating to, or consisting of words: a word list

verb

25.

(transitive) to state in words, usually specially selected ones; phrase

26.

(Austral, informal) (transitive) often foll by up. to inform or advise (a person)

The meaning "promise" was in Old English, as was the theological sense. In the plural, the meaning "verbal altercation" (as in to have words with someone) dates from mid-15c. Word processor first recorded 1973; word processing is from 1984; word wrap is from 1977. A word to the wise is from Latin phrase verbum sapienti satis est "a word to the wise is enough." Word of mouth is recorded from 1550s.

It is dangerous to leave written that which is badly written. A chance word, upon paper, may destroy the world. Watch carefully and erase, while the power is still yours, I say to myself, for all that is put down, once it escapes, may rot its way into a thousand minds, the corn become a black smut, and all libraries, of necessity, be burned to the ground as a consequence. [William Carlos Williams, "Paterson"]